Squeaky Clean Cretins New CD of flesh, of marrow:
the seedling has survived and races toward the sun
"searching for a successful man
searching for success
I won’t bow to this dollar
no I won’t stoop so low
so take your dollars and go."
And the Squeaky Clean Cretins mean it. The Cretins are not just another set of youthful faces with pretty guitars.
"The first song on this cd, the fourth song the boys played last night. That’s my first favorite of the boys’ songs."
That was Z, thoroughly smitten with Graham A. Parsons and Edmund Joey Artibee (call him anything but late for dinner, for real) after breaking some bread with ’the boys’ and attending their latest performance at Horizon’s Shine Café Saturday night in Traverse City. She was talking about Dollar Lama.
Z is five-almost-six, and was one of the full house in the popular bookstore’s lower level, featuring two of the total Cretin population, and what appears to be the roots of original Cretinism. The three set performance featured most of of flesh, of marrow, the Cretins fantastically bittersweet new release, literally still warm from the press.
This live presentation of the Cretins was so well received that no one really got up and left. A few folks traded places, and one or two individuals meandered away, but no entire table exited. Everyone paid attention to this meaningful performance.
And this of flesh, of marrow cd presentation of the Cretins lives up to the Clean in the band’s name. There’s not a muddy spot on this entire cd, something first time self-releases rarely achieve (if they’re not too thin).
Now here’s where the Cretins pick up the threads of my youth, and where the seeds of change landed after they got done blowin’ in the wind.
When you listen to Parsons and Artibee on one of their originals – not covers – you can make incredible parallels to Simon and Garfunkel, except in this case Artibee masters a plethora of instruments and has a mean songwriting streak of his own. This songwriting duo isn’t merely the obvious melodic pleasures of tight harmonization; this is the partnership of individual musical threads and the consensual ascent via the same loom toward the grand prize. Try Parsons Only Traces.
These States are Gates is a travelling anthem belonging to no one and everyone. It is so upbeat that it’s hard to reconcile references to global warming. These twentyish ’boys’ have been deep in thought for a long time. Maybe that’s why so many people tell these guys "how much older" they sound if you can’t see their faces.
Echoing some intimate CSN’s Wooden Ships interplay, Late Fall Bloom features the lyrical side of Artibee, and brings the listener in closer, not wanting to miss a whisper, or hearing the leaves touch the ground. Instead, they land gently on Dan Schmitt’s bass line, then subtly blow through the song propelled by guest Nick Enz’ saxophone.
At this stage of the project, it is entirely too important not to emphasize the addition of Mark McEvers and Greg Wright to the original Cretins trio. There are places where the trio’s music left some white space, not unpleasant, but having the keyboard cushion the music around a strong but judicious percussion gives them an attractive dimension.
Life is a Shark – Expect this song to command the audience during live performances.
Without the River – Reflective in nature about nature. The external influences of life in michigan are evident throughout this group’s project, and it is this quiet exhilaration captured in the music of Schmitt.
Dreamcatcher – Fun stuff, solid guitar play and the traditional feel of music you’ve known all of your life, but something sounds fresh and clean. There’s that word again.
Worlds Apart - Any song that includes the line www.losinghopesoon is alright by me. Embrace the creative irony, something these young songwriters have a solid grasp on.
Airborne Balloon (Cowboy song) - The Cretins at their best. Driven passion, distinctive guitar patterns and the intensity I expect from Chris Isaak, if we could find someone to sing with him.
Devil in Love – A new folk spin on a happy sounding guitar. This is a clap along, play along, sing along beauty on the blues side, a sweet little contribution by Artibee.
Something Free – There’s a balladeer within Parsons, and Artibee brings it out in the best way possible, the supporting infrastructure of the bridge. While all of the convertible passengers are looking at the top of Big Mac, the truck drivers are counting the rivets. Rounding out the bottom of the span is the bright bass of Schmitt. The trio bounces friendly notes off of each other, and this cut sounds remarkably close to their live performances as they sing, prophetically, "a young man’s life should never be short and sweet" in a political statement that cuts too close to home.
Shakespeare Dancing – The title entices and lives up to its minuet-like charm with light string play, gentle vocals and the very nice visual suggestion of William Shakespeare, well, dancing.
Best friends planted the Cretins seed; recent events have tested the strength of the entire crop. Grafts of mature stock and time have surely strengthened this Cretin stalk. This summer, we’ll be able to watch the blooms all over michigan.
In the meantime, of flesh, of marrow is ripe for your listening pleasure picking.
Look for scheduled appearances and cd purchase information at http://www.myspace.com/cretinsmusic
Next to last words: The Music Fund for the Keweenaw Krayons in memory of Daniel C. Schmitt benefits everyone. http://www.keweenawkrayons.com/
Last words: For folks who are unfamiliar with another example of life spinning us around while we stand still, see kellybeez blog January 14, 2008
peace,
Kelly Beez